Vin Scully baffled by inability of Major League teams to execute a proper rundown

The Dodgers fell behind to the Phillies 2-0 early on Monday night before eventually losing 3-2. During the top of the third inning, the Dodgers went all Little League and botched a rundown, much to the chagrin of Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully.

Scully, who is typically mild-mannered on telecasts and always provides one of the smoothest calls, admonished the team for butchering what should have been an easy play.

“If there’s one consistent disappointment that I have had in watching Major League games, it is the inability of Major League teams to do a successful rundown,” Scully vented. “And the way they butchered that play … it’s amazing. Kids in the streets could do better rundown plays than big leaguers. Why? Maybe because they don’t practice it.

“The Dodgers join the long list of distinguished ball clubs that absolutely butcher the rundown play,” he said, disappointed.

The Dodgers screwing up that play was bad enough, but getting scolded by Vin Scully is much much worse. If I’m them, first thing I’m doing in practice is working on the rundown. And that’s not so they can execute it properly, but just to avoid incurring the wrath of Scully again.